ABC ready to ‘Dance’

Network orders five episodes of 'Machine'

ABC’s store of reality skeins is expanding. The Alphabet has given a five-episode order to RDF USA for “Dance Machine.,” a dance competish series involving everyday hoofers, not pros.

Show has been in the works for some time and is set to begin lensing in January. Casting is now under way.

RDF USA’s exec veep Greg Goldman created “Dance Machine” and will serve as an exec producer along with RDF chief Chris Coelen and Brian Veskosky of Metro Entertainment.

“Ordinary people, extraordinary circumstances and a whole lot of money on the line,” said Coelen in describing the show.

Goldman noted that “Dance Machine” marks RDF USA’s first “homegrown” format to land on ABC. Company has pacted with the net previously on nonscripted skeins “Wife Swap” and “Shaq’s Big Challenge.”

RDF USA’s growing biz comes as welcome relief for its U.K. based parent concern. Company has been reeling from revelations that a docu it produced for the BBC on Queen Elizabeth II included controversial use of footage. RDF CEO David Frank said the gains from its U.S. arm were helping to offset lost revenue from the U.K. (Daily Variety, Nov. 1).